Method of making adjustable fastening devices



March 7, 1944. G. M. BECKWITH ET AL 2,343,827

METHOD OF MAKING ADJUSTABLE FASTENING DEVICES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed March 15. 1942 Geo! Ma ATTORNEY March 1944- G. M. BECKWITH ET AL I 3 METHOD OF MAKING ADJUSTABLE FASTENING DEVICES Original Filed March 13, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR prgefl l, Beczt'wp'th gfi n D, P 022715,

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 7, 1944 METHOD OF MAKING ADJUSTABLE FASTENING DEVICES George M. Beckwith, New York, N. Y.', and Madison D. Pickens, Washingt on, D. 0., assignon to Talon, Inc., a corporation oi Pennsylvania Original application March 13, 1942, Serial No;

Divided and this application November- 23, 1942, Serial No. 466,612

7 Claims.

This invention relates, to the manufacture of adjustable fastening devices and, in particular, to such devices including a' track comprising a plurality of spaced stops, abutments, or the like supported in flexible manner and a cooperating slider member slidablewith respect to the track and adapted to be locked, selectively, in, various predetermined positions against movement longitudinally of said track. This application is a division of our application Serial No. 434,594, filed March 13, 1942, for Adjustable fastening device.

It is an object of this invention to provide a method of making such a fastening device which embodies a new and improved track construction which may be readily and economically produced and wherein assembly of the component parts may be quickly and conveniently accomplished with but little skill.

It is a. further object of this invention to provide a new and improved method of making a slider for such devices which embodies a new principle of operation, which is of extreme simplicity, and by which the slider may be cheaply produced and easily assembled.

It is thus the object of this invention to provide new and improved methods of forming and assembling the component parts of such adjustable fastening devices.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view, in perspective, of a garment equipped with an adjustable fastening device according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of apertured tape forming a part of the track of the fastening device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, showing flexible cord equipped with predeterminedly spaced stop members, another component part of the track of the fastener shown in Fig: l, and illustrating the manner in which the cast or molded-on stops are secured against longitudinal movement on the cord;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figs. 3 and 5 but showing stop members formed as hollow beads from sheet material and secured over the enlargements on the cord; 1

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing a fragment of the track similar to that of Fig. 4

. but embodying cylindrical stop members;

Fig. 4'is a fragmentary perspective view of the Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view, in perspective,

of the adjustable fastening device shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 11 is a view in perspective of the pull member of the slider shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 10.

The adjustable fastening device illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is of the general type illustrated in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,887,826 granted November 15, 1932, to Noel Statham, inasmuch as it comprises -a track or trackway. generally designated I5 which is secured to a garment, for instance, or one end of a belt, and which track is adapted slidably to support a slider, generally designated 16, which slider is secured to another part of the garment, or the other end of the belt, and which slider may be selectively adjusted longitudinally of the track and locked in desired position.

More particularly, the track or trackway is of the general type illustrated in U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,245,255, granted June 10, 1941, to George H. C. Corner, wherein the trackway comprises a flexible cord or wire with predeterminedly spaced stop members secured thereon and supported by a flexible carrier or tape to which it is suitably secured; The stop members support the body of the slider and the spaces therebetween are utilizedby means incorporated in the slider to secure the slider against movement longitudinally of the track or trackway.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the track or trackway I5 is secured by rows of stitching H to a portion of a garment l8'at one side of a closure or opening, the end IQ of a belt or the like being secured to the slider it, as shown in Fig. 1. The track or trackway I5 is formed by a flexible stringer such as a cord, wire or the like.

2! provided with predeterminedly spaced knots 2| (Fig. 3) or formed-in lumps or enlargements 22 (Figs. 5, 6 and 7) over which generally spherical stops or abutments 23 are formed, i. e., cast or molded (Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 7) these stop members or abutment members being formed of die cast metal or of suitable non-metallic plastic material. Alternatively, the stop or abutment members (23a) may be formed of relatively thin sheet material formed into generally spherical members, clamped over the knots or enlargements, as shown in Fig. 6. Likewise, the stop or abutment members may be of substantially cylindricai form, as shown in Fig. 7, these stop members 231) being securely held on the cord 20 against longitudinal movement by the knots or enlargements in the cord over which they are cast or molded.

The provision of the knots 2!, or woven-in lumps or enlargements 22 constitutes an important feature of this invention, inasmuch as the security of attachment of the stop members or abutment members 23, 23a, 23b to the stringer 20 is substantially enhanced thereby. Where, as is illustrated in the aforementioned Corner Patent No. 2,245,255, such stop or abutment members are cast upon smooth cord, the zone of attachment is substantially cylindrical and there is no substantial interlocking connection between the stop or abutment members and the supporting cord. Where, however, knots 2! or enlargements 22 are provided, the zone of attachment is non-cylindrical and more nearly spherical, whereby there is a distinct interlocking relation by means of which the stop members 23 are secured in predeterminedly spaced relation on the cord 20 irrespective of the security of the bond between the material of the stop members 23 and those portions of the cord 26 over which they are attached. In other words, even though the bond between the material of the stop members and the cord be partially or wholly destroyed, nevertheless the predeterminedly spaced relationship of the stop members 23 will not be disturbed.

Likewise, since the textile or other material of the cord is substantially cheaper than the material of the stop members, the volume of stop forming material in a stop of given size is reduced by the presence of th knot 2| or wovenin enlargement 22 and the cost is thus materially reduced. Furthermore, since the shape of knot 2| or enlargement 22 is generally similar to that of stop members 23 (especially after the stop members 23 are formed over them), the thickness of the surrounding stop forming material is substantially more nearly uniform throughout. In other words, this material forms, in effect, a hollow shell or envelope of substantially uniform thickness surrounding the knot 2i or enlargement 22. Since curing of non-metallic plastic materials varies with the thickness thereof and since the outer portions of plastic members, adj acent the suriacs, contain the hardest, toughest and strongest parts of the plastic material, the presence of the knots 2| or enlargements 22 substantially enhances the strength and toughness of the stop members by reducing the thickness of the plastic envelope and makingthe thickness more nearly uniform throughout, in addition to decreasing the cost.

This cord with formed-in enlargements 22 may, for instance, be formed by using as one or more of the constituents Seed Yam, a twisted yarn, wherein one or more systems of threads in a multiple system yarn is intermittently fed at a speed diiierent from that of the others during the twisting operation in order to cause predeterminedly spaced pile-ups appearing as predetermlnedly spaced lumps or enlargements in the finished cord.

The cord 20 with. attached predetermlnedly spaced stop members 23, 23a, or 23b, is supported by a carrier comprising a strip of flexible tape 24 provided with a row of centrally disposed, longitudinally spaced apertures 25 through which the stop members 23 are passed when the tape is folded over the cord 20, as shown in Fig. 6, and secured in folded relationship by a row of stitching 26 whereby the portions 21 between the apertures 25 extend over those portions of the cord between the respective spaced stop members 23 flexibly to support the cord 20 and the attached stop members 23/ In order to prevent fraying, the margins of the apertures 25 may be suitably impregnated or otherwise treated with suitable sizing or other material such as one of the well known resins or plastic materials or, alternatively, the tape may be woven in such manner that the apertures '25 are formed in the weave as shown, for instance, in Fig. 6 of Corner Patent No. 2,245,255. However, it is preferred, in theinterest of economy, that the carrier shown in Fig. 2 be formed of a textile or other tape or strip into which the apertures 25 are cut by any suitable mechanism such as a. rotary cutter, sizing or fraypreventing impregnation being applied either before or after the apertures 25 are cut in the tape or strip 25. 1

The body 30 of the slider I 6 is of elongate form provided with a substantially cylindrical channel 35 extending from end to end and opening through a slot 32 at one side, as shown in Figs. 1 and 8. Intermediate its length, the body 30 is provided with a pair of similar transverse slots 33 extending inwardly from the open side of the slider body and adapted to receive and support trunnions of the pull member, as hereinaft-er described. Optionally, the body is provided with a flattened upper or outer surface 35 for the sake of appearance and compactness. Since the slot 32 is narrower than the diameter of the stop members 23, 23a. or 23b, the body 30 when threaded on the track or trackway is slidably maintained thereon by the substantially spherical stop members 23 or 23a (or cylindrical stop members. 231)) in the channel 3|.

Slider bodies 30 are preferably formed from elongated strip or stock 28 (Fig. 10) cut to appropriate length as at 29 (Fig. 9) by a cut-off device such as rotary saw 31, the notches or slots 33 being applied to each slider body by a slotting device, such as a rotary slotting tool 36, immediately prior to operation of the cut-off device 37. The elongated strip or stock 28 may be formed either of metal or non-metallic plastic material. It may be rolled or cast in the case of metal, or cast or extruded in the case of nonmetallic plastic material.

Illustrative apparatus for extruding non-metallic plastic material to form the strip or stock 28 is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 10. This apparatus comprises a press, including a cylinder 38 provided at one end with an extrusion die 39 of appropriate shape to produce the desired section in the strip or stock 28. A piston 40 is slidable in the cylinder 38 toward-the die 39 to cause heated plastic material in the cylinder to v be extruded through the die 39 and formed into and which necessitates only the operation of the.

slotting device 35 to form the slots 33 and of the cut-01f device 31 to cut off the strip 28, after slotting, into predetermined desired lengths completely to form the slider body 30.

The pull member, generally designated 4|, is shown in Fig. 13. This pull member is constituted by a pair of similar substantially parallel longitudinal leg members .42 provided at their inner ends with oppositely, inwardly directed trunnions 43 which are adapted to be seated in the above described slots 33. At their outer ends these leg members are connected by a bar 44 which is adapted to provide a support for the end of a belt or the like, secured thereto. such as 19 of Figs. 1 and 8. Intermediate the trunnions 43 and bar 44 is a locking member 45 in the form of a cross bar offset from the plane common to the trunnions 43 and bar 44, this locking member being provided at its under side with a notch 46 which is adapted for en gagement with any desired portion 21 of the tape overlying the cord 20 between a pair of adjacent stop members 23 to lock the slider i5 against longitudinal movement on the trackway. The dimensions of the notch 46 are preferably such that a slight clamping action is secured.

While the form of pull member illustrated is suitable for production as an integral unit by molding or die casting, it is, of course, to be understood that it may be made up of a plurality of pieces secured together in any suitable known manner.

The method of attaching the pull member 4| to the slider body 30 is illustrated in Fig. 9. As

within our invention such modifications as are included within the scope of the appended claims.

or stock 28 is formed of metal, the upsetting may be accomplished by impact, or by heat and/or pressure, and where it is formed of non-metallic plastic material it ,may be accomplished either by the use of a solyent and pressure or by heat and pressure, depending upon whether the nonmetallic plastic material of which it is formed is of thermosetting or thermoplastic type.

As may readily be seen from Figs. 1, 2 and 12, the bar 44 is slightly offset upwardly from the locking member 45 and the trunnions 43 Because of this offset, the strip or belt-end i9 is supported in spaced relation upwardly of, or outwardly of the row of stop members 23 in order to'prevent contact of the member IS with the stop members 23 which might affect operation of the locking means. Also, because of this offsetting of the bar 44, the application of tension to a member having the track l5 at one end and the member ii! at the other, will exert a toggle action causing the locking member 45 to be sell in looking position between an adjacent pair of stop members 23 to lock the slider i6 against longitudinal movement on the track.

From the above description it will clearly appear that we have provided a new method of manufacturing adjustable fastening devices of the class described with extreme convenience, economy of labor and ecenomy of materials.

It is, of course, to be understood that the above description is merely illustrative and in nowise limiting and that we desire to comprehend Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l

1. In a method of forming a flexwle track for an adjustable fastener, providing a flexible stringer with predeterminedly spaced enlargements, securing stop members over said enlargements,- providing a flexible carrier strip with spaced openings to receive said stop members, aligning said openings with the stop members on said stringer, folding said carrier strip over said stringer and connecting together portions of said carrier strip at opposite sides of said openings.

2. In a method of forming a flexible track for an adjustable fastener, providing a flexible stringer with predeterminedly spaced enlargements, forming stop members over said enlargements, providing a flexible carrier strip with spaced apertures adapted to receive said stop members, aligning said apertures in said carrier strip with the stop members on said stringer, folding said carrier strip'over said stringer and connecting together portions of said carrier strip at opposite sides of said apertures.

3. In a method of forming a flexible track for an adjustable fastener, providing a flexible stringer with predeterminedly spaced enlargements. casting stop members of thermoplastic material over said enlargements, providing a flexible carrier tape with spaced apertures adapted to receive said stop members, aligning the apertures in said tape with the stop members on said stringer, folding said tape over said stringer, stitching together portions of said tape at opposite sides of said apertures, folding the free portions of said carrier beyond said stitching outwardly away from one another to a common plane, superposing said free portions on a support and stitching said free portions to said support.

4. In a method of forming a flexible track for an adjustable fastener, providing a flexible cord with predeterminedly spaced knots, molding stop members of non-metallic plastic material over said knots, providing a flexible carrier tape with spaced apertures adapted to receive said stop members, aligning the apertures in said tape with the stop members on said cord, folding said carrier over said cord with the stop members extending through said apertures, stitching together porincluding rows of stop members, with sliders selectively adjustable thereon; forming an elongated continuous strip with a channel of cross section substantially complementary with the transverse cross section of said stops and with a longitudinal slot leading outwardly therefrom, slotting said strip transversely to form trunnion receiving notches substantially perpendicular to said channel, and cutting said strip into predetermined slotted slider body lengths.

6. In a method of making sliders for adjustable fasteners comprising flexible tracks including rows of stop members with sliders selectively adjustable thereon; forming an elongated continuous strip with a channel of cross section substantially complementary with the transverse cross section of said stops and with a longitudinal slot leading outwardly therefrom, slotting said strip transversely to form trunnion body lengths, independently forming pull members each having a pair of trunnions at one end adapted to be rotatably secured in said trunnion receiving notches, placing said trunnions in said notches, and upsetting a portion of each slider body adjacent at least one notch to secure a trunnion therein, permanently to secure said pull members pivotally to said slider bodies.

7. In a method of making sliders for adjustable fasteners comprising flexible tracks including rows of stop members, with sliders selectively adamass? justable thereon; extruding an elongated continuous strip with a channel of cross section substantially complementary with the transverse cross section of said stops and with a longitudinal slot leading outwardly therefrom, slotting said stnp transversely at predetermined intervals to form pairs of trunnion receiving notches substantially perpendicular to said channel cutting said strip between slots intn predetermined slider body lengths, independently forming pull members each having a pair of trunnions at one end adapted to be rotatably secured in said trunnion receiving notches, seating said trunnions in said notches, and upsetting a portion of the slider body adjacent each notch to confine said trunnions in said notches, permanently to secure said pull member pivotally to said slider body.

.GEORGE M. BECKW'ITI-I. MADISON D. PICKENS. 

